THE CHARACTERIZATION OF A CORRODED EGYPTIAN BRONZE STATUE AND A STUDY OF THE DEGRADATION PHENOMENA

Abstract

This paper presents the results of scientific examinations carried out on an Egyptian bronze statue discovered buried in Sais. Optical Microscopy (OM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) were used to understand the corrosive morphological characteristics of the patina, to investigate the corrosion products, analyze the elementary composition of the statue and to identify the corrosive factors with effects on the alteration processes. The results indicated that the statue was made of bronze alloy, with copper as the main element, besides lead and tin. Three layers of alteration products with various composition and morphology covered the substrate of the bronze alloy. XRD results indicated that the statue was subjected to many corrosive ions such as sulfur and chloride, and buried in wet soil, rich in oxygen and carbon. This study provides useful information for the restoration and protection of the statue.

Keywords

• corrosion products
• patina
• SEM-EDS
• XRD
• bronze alloy